1796 - 1878

Belangrijkste feiten

  • Color intensity:
    • monochromatic
    • balanced
  • Top 3 works:
    • Eskimos Coming towards the Boats in Shoalwater Bay
    • Loss of the Third Canoe at the Barrier Rapid, Kamanatekwoya River
    • Lac du Diable
  • Lifespan: 82 years
  • Top-ranked work: Eskimos Coming towards the Boats in Shoalwater Bay
  • Typical colors: neutrals
  • Art period: 19th Century
  • Nationality: United Kingdom

The Explorer and Artist

George Back was a British Royal Navy officer, explorer of the Canadian Arctic, naturalist, and artist. Born in Stockport, United Kingdom, he began his maritime journey as a volunteer in the frigate HMS Arethusa in 1808. During his time as a prisoner in Verdun, he practiced his skills as an artist, a talent he would later utilize to record his travels through the Canadian Arctic. His career included serving under John Franklin on several expeditions, including the Coppermine and Mackenzie River expeditions.

His naval career was marked by significant Arctic voyages, such as the Back River Expedition and the Frozen Strait Expedition aboard the HMS Terror. During the latter, the vessel became icebound for ten months. Back eventually rose to the rank of admiral. Beyond his naval duties, he was a writer, an entomologist, and served as the vice-president of the Royal Geographical Society.

Artistic Works and Legacy

As an accomplished artist, Back captured the scenery of the Canadian North through various mediums. His works include:

His ability to provide vigorous expression to the landscapes he encountered earned him high praise from historians. His artistic legacy is preserved through his detailed records of the Arctic and his various sketches and watercolours.

Vraag en antwoord

Waar kan ik de kunstwerken van George Back in chronologische volgorde bekijken?

De kunstwerken van George Back zijn in chronologische volgorde te bekijken op de Chronologie kunstwerken pagina van de kunstenaar.

In welke historische periode werkte George Back?

George Back werkte in de 19th Century-periode. Deze periode plaatst het oeuvre van de kunstenaar in een historisch kader.

Kan ik de werken van George Back bekijken per kunststroming?

De stromingen waarin George Back werkte, zijn te vinden op de Alle stromingen-pagina van de kunstenaar, waar de kunstwerken per stroming zijn gegroepeerd.

Waar kan ik de kunstwerken van George Back bekijken, gesorteerd op kleur?

De werken van George Back kunnen op kleur worden verkend op de Sorteren op kleur pagina van de kunstenaar.

Korte quiz

Er is slechts één goed antwoord op elke vraag.

Vraag 1:
In which city was George Back born?
Vraag 2:
Which ship was Back commanding during the 1836–1837 expedition that became icebound?
Vraag 3:
What was the highest naval rank George Back achieved?
Vraag 4:
Which river was named after George Back?
Vraag 5:
What was the subject of the watercolour that sold for $59,600 at auction in 2011?